Trip to the Chocolate Bar in Boston a decadent treat

Christine Ordway

Wednesday

Jan 28, 2009 at 12:01 AMJan 28, 2009 at 12:23 AM

The Chocolate Bar at the Langham Hotel in Boston serves 125 different chocolate desserts - a chocoholic's dream come true.

Chocolate has long been associated with romance. The Aztecs claimed that chocolate was an aphrodisiac that made both men and women more susceptible to Cupid’s arrows of love. I guess that might explain why fancy boxes of chocolates are traditionally given on Valentine’s Day.

Those looking to enjoy chocolate’s culinary lift in a most elegant and romantic setting will find it in spades at The Chocolate Bar at the Langham Hotel in Boston. Every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Langham’s Cafe Fleuri offers a fabulous buffet of chocolate creations. An impressive array of 125 different chocolate desserts served in bite-sized portions, The Chocolate Bar is a chocoholic’s dream come true. It’s also a perfect place to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
Because this is The Chocolate Bar’s 20th anniversary, the buffet has been arranged with a nod to the past, present and future. At the table representing the past, you’ll find traditional and comfort desserts, such as whoopie pies, Boston cream pie, white chocolate tapioca pudding, chocolate cannoli, German chocolate cupcakes, and a white chocolate fruit tart.

Moving into the future, there’s a nod to vegan and gluten-free desserts, as well as updated twists on more familiar sweets. Try the vegan banana chocolate chip cake, the gluten-free chocolate chip cookies or the quinoa pudding. If that’s a little too adventurous, there’s also Mexican chocolate creme caramel, a marshmallow crunch cup, mocha panna cotta, spoonfuls of s’mores, and a chocolate and lavender torte.

However, The Chocolate Bar is much more than a culinary walk through time. There’s a chocolate fountain with every dipping item you ever dreamed of. There’s chocolate-topped cotton candy made to order and a help-yourself assortment of penny candy. If you’re looking for something a little more elegant, there’s a table of truffles and macaroons, as well as a station where you can create your own candy bar. There’s homemade ice cream, with sauces and toppings. Wash down the chocolate croissant bread pudding with the strawberry and white chocolate shooter. Top it all off with a chocolate crepe, cooked to order with your choice of fillings, flambeed with rum or Grand Marnier, and served with either creme anglaise or chocolate sauce.

Make as many trips as you wish to the buffet. Service is impeccable and your place will be cleared and your coffee cup refilled before you return to your seat. Coffee is complimentary, as is hot white chocolate and traditional hot chocolate. A variety of chocolate martinis are available from the bar.

Whether you are celebrating Valentine’s Day and chocolate’s romantic properties, or seeking a mood-lifting escape from the midwinter doldrums, The Chocolate Bar will not disappoint. Come and experience the many faces of our favorite flavor.